The Montreal Canadiens management and fan base are aware that the opportunity has arrived to be a serious contender for the Stanley Cup this year. With Goaltender Carey Price holding on to his title as the best in the world, solid and rugged Shea Weber providing leadership and steadiness in front of Price on Defence, and one of the leagues top scorers in Captain Max Pacioretty, a talented core is in place to make it a realistic dream for all the Habs faithful. However, what was once unheard months ago, has lately circulated out of the mouths of a small and growing number of fans: trade Alex Galchenyuk. Galchenyuk might be general manager Marc Bergevin’s best trading piece. Could trading Galchenyuk strengthen the teams chances for winning the Cup? There are a few reasons to make this argument.
Coach Michel Therrien Doesn’t Trust Galchenyuk’s Defensive Game
In the last few years Therrein has given Galchenyuk limited ice time, slotting him on the Wing, instead of the centre position he played with the Sarnia Sting in the Ontario Hockey League. Therrien justified this decision to help the young Galchenyuk develop into a better hockey player taking what he called a “slow approach”. At the end of last season, and beginning of this year (44 points in 45 games) Galchenyuk played centre, flourished, averaged almost a point per game, and started to show his critics that he did possess the skill to become an elite player. He began this season with 23 points in his first 25 games, but succumbed to a knee injury taking him out of the following 18 games.
Since his return, in between missing a few games due to re-injury, his performance has been sub-standard. On Sunday, in an afternoon game against the Oilers, he was placed on the Wing again with David Desharnais as the centre, to the chagrin of the fans. It appeared that Therrien had more faith in Desharnais (who recently returned from a 22 game injury), a player most likely not returning next season. It almost appears that Galchenyuk will produce points, or he will be a liability defensively. The latter produces a decreased role and shortened ice time. There have also been suggestions from TSN’s Darren Dreger that the Canadiens plan is to acquire a centre for the second line and move Galchenyuk back to left wing after the trade deadline. Despite all this, Galchenyuk was back at centre, playing on the second line, for Tuesday night’s game in Colorado. After another tough night, how long it lasts though is anyone’s guess.
The Emergence of Phillip Danault
Danault seized the opportunity on becoming the first line Centre alongside Wingers – Alexander Radulov and Pacioretty. In Galchenyuk’s 18-game absence, the trio posted a modest combined 40 points together, and slowly developed into an effective unit. As it is debatable on whether Danault should be on the first line or not, he is a responsible defensive player, and a creator of offensive chances due to his battles with the puck. These additional skills bode well for him under Therrien’s system.
A Great Centre is a Key Ingredient for a Stanley Cup
It might be unfair to compare Alex Galchenyuk with the centres who have been on Cup winning teams since the 2004-05 lockout. Galchenyuk, almost 23 years of age, has the potential to become Montreal’s unquestionable number one. From the Stanley Cup winning centremen, Galchenyuk has better offensive numbers only to the Detroit Red Wing icon, the 23-year -old version of Pavel Datysuk. No sane hockey fan would make this a debate on the better player, so the point is moot. Jonathan Toews (Chicago), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh), Anze Kopitar (Los Angeles), Eric Staal (Carolina), and Patrice Bergeron (Boston) performed better than Galchenyuk in their younger years. If Galchenyuk is not in the same class as these players, is it realistic for the Montreal Canadiens to win the Stanley Cup?
Alex Galchenyuk is a Desirable Player for the Rebuilding Young Team
At 23 years of age, five years of NHL service under his belt, with a salary cap hit of $2.8 million, Galchenyuk could take greater strides with a new team and a different Coach. He will become a Restricted Free Agent at the end of the season, and at his current production level (since his return from injury), it’s unlikely that his next contract will be massive. As Michael Bergevin calls the other GM’s in the league, this could be one of his most desirable trading pieces. The trade market, however, sounds very thin as league parity has put many teams under the illusion that they will make the playoffs. Colorado’s Matt Duchene’s name continues to pop up from the rumour mill, and he would undoubtedly be a most welcome addition to Michel Therrien’s squad. Could he have a greater chance to emerge as a top player on the Canadiens and make a major contribution to a Stanley Cup winning team?
Galchenyuk is Weak on the Faceoff
Today, Alex Galchenyuk is 41.1% on faceoffs won, sitting at #322 for NHL forwards in this category. In the previous season, he ranked #207 with 47.9%. His best season was 49.1% in 2014-15.
Galchenyuk wins just over four out of every ten face-offs he takes. Interestingly, 47.1% are 5 on 5 in the offensive zone (compared to neutral and defensive zone draws), with plenty of power play faceoffs as well. He gets no time on the penalty kill, and a plethora of time on the power play.
Danault currently stands at 52.07% on faceoffs, while getting plenty of time on both the powerplay and the penalty kill. While Galchenyuk gets more power play time, Danault still wins more faceoffs.
The Montreal Canadiens are strong on the power play, sitting fourth in the league. Power play goals are especially crucial during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and it’s imperative that the number one centre wins more face-offs in the offensive zone to greatly enhance chances for scoring.
There are many compelling reasons to trade Alex Galchenyuk and make a bigger push toward the Cup. Mark Bergevin has a great goalie, excellent defence, scoring talent, and depth down the lineup. The one missing ingredient from a real Stanley Cup conversation is that talented centre that scores, wins battles, plays defense, and comes up big during face offs and special teams. Bergevin has less than a month to find that player. If he does, don’t be surprised if Galchenyuk goes the opposite way.
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Data obtained from the NHL’s official website, http://www.nhl.com, and Stats.Hockeyanalysis.com, accessed February 6, 2017.
